Gamma and pulsed electron radiolysis studies of CyMe4BTBP and CyMe4BTPhen: Identification of radiolysis products and effects on the hydrometallurgical separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides

The radiolytic stability of the highly selective ligands CyMe4BTBP and CyMe4BTPhen against ionizing gamma radiation was studied in 1-octanol solution. are important extractants for a potential treatment used nuclear fuel. They were under identical experimental conditions to directly compare effects pulsed electron radiolysis on systematically study influence structural changes ligand backbone. Distribution ratios Am3+, Cm3+ Eu3+, residual concentration solution, formation products as function absorbed dose presence an acidic aqueous phase during irradiation. Quantitative semi-quantitative analyses elucidate mechanism both ligands. Addition alpha-hydroxyoctyl radicals formed through diluent molecules identified predominant products. These addition also extract trivalent metal ions, distribution remained high although parent molecule concentrations decreased. Therefore, utilization time solvent using these harsh fuel could be considerably longer than expected. Understanding is crucial designing more resistant extractants.